DD vs GL, IPL 2016, Match 23 at Delhi: Zaheer Khan will look to go with unchanged side

Upbeat Delhi Daredevils (DD) are set to take on level headed Gujarat Lions (GL) in Match 23 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2016 at Delhi on Wednesday. DD are currently No. 3 with three wins and a defeat while GL are No.2 with 4 wins along with a defeat. GL may look a perfect team on paper, but DD have the right balance that have lead them to three consecutive wins and they can give GL a  fierce competition. DD’s winning combination has done the trick and this could be the moment they could overtake GL on the points table. DD kept Carlos Brathwaite away for their last game and finally included their ace spinner Imran Tahir, giving some importance to their bowling side. As this winning combination has helped build the momentum for DD, possibility of going with the same side is on the cards. It is not wrong to assume that Zaheer Khan would go with an unchnaged side after their win against Mumbai Indians when they take on GL on Wednesday:  Full Cricket Scorecard:Delhi Daredevils vs Gujarat Lions, IPL 2016 Match 23 at Delhi

Top-Order: Quinton de Kock is in a sizzling form with the way he is moving ahead in every game, though he remained unlucky in the previous outing. The No.2 position is comfortably handled by Shreyas Iyer, whose performance might have seen ups and downs, but his knock of 19 from 20 that was inclusive of a four and six against Mumbai Indians (MI) was just enough to slightly cover up for his partner de Kock. Just in case the opening pair crumbles, the No.3 spot belongs to Sanju Samson and after his feat against MI, the top three looks settled.

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Middle-Order: Most of the DD matches so far have witnessed the top and middle-order getting the task done. The No.4 spot remains constant with Karun Nair. Nair’s inconsistent form can be matter of worry, barring his remarkable partnership along with de Kock while chasing a mammoth total against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). DD will be happy to have found JP Duminy at No.5 back in their squad uplifting the middle-order in previous two games. Pawan Negi has made guest appearances at No.6, but he has been unimpressive so far. But the above players have given enough impetus with Negi having hardly any task to be done with the bat.

With Brathwaite remaining out for the last game, chances are he might remain out for this one as well, that brings No.7, Chris Morris. This position has never got a chance to come out and show their stance, but with Morris around, who hashandled the finsihing role with ease at the international level and he surely can come handy for DD. READ: Delhi Daredevils vs Gujarat Lions, IPL 2016 Match 23 at Delhi: Preview

Bowling: Skipper Zaheer is the spearhead in the bowling department for DD and following the league in pacers is their ace bowler Mohammed Shami, with his form in the last two matches. As for spinners, Amit Mishra rules with his googlies. Now with the inclusion of Imran Tahir, it has strengthened the spinner’s base along with providing a depth in the DD’s bowling department. Negi with his left-arm spin will give good support to leg-break bowler Mishra. All-rounder Duminy, can also be a surprise package with his right-arm off spin.

DD have been very impressive from the previous editions and could be a surprise team in IPL 9.

Delhi Daredevil’s likely XI (Batting Order): Quinton de Kock (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Karun Nair, JP Duminy, Pawan Negi, Chris Morris, Imran Tahir, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami and Zaheer Khan (c).

(Shruti Hariharan is a Content Writer with CricketCountry. You can follow her on Twitter at @Shruti_2890)